Arduino project · Motors and movement · Easy
Motion Fan (DC Motor)
A small DC fan runs while somebody is near.
What you will learn
- How a PIR sensor controls a motor
- How PWM sets speed
- Why the motor needs its own battery
How it works
When motion is seen the motor is set to 80 percent. Otherwise it is 0.
Try this next
- Keep running for 20 seconds after motion.
- Add an LED.
- Add a temperature condition.
The simulator program and explanation on this page are original. The idea follows a classic Arduino project that students have built for years.
Parts: sensors and actuators (tap to show or hide)
Try the inputs (virtual sensors)
Pins (you can change them)
| Part | Arduino pin (change it here) | How to wire it |
|---|
Every wire, one by one
Red rail = 5 V from the Arduino 5V pin. Black rail = GND. The coloured wires carry signals. Match the wire colours on the drawing to this list.
| # | Colour | From (part and leg) | To |
|---|
Steps run from top to bottom, then start again. While the simulation runs, the active step is highlighted in green.
Quantities come from the parts you added. The store links open a search for that item on Robu.in, Amazon.in and ThinkRobotics, so you always see what is in stock today. Check the model, voltage and price before you order.
| # | Item | Qty | Search term | Buy / compare |
|---|
The PDF has the circuit sketch, pin table, every wire, sequence, full code, the parts list with store links, do’s and don’ts for each part, and the safety notes. The project file lets you come back and keep editing.
In the real world
A fan driven by a DC motor
The speed of your motor sets the speed of the fan blades in the real scene. A bigger number means faster blades.
Tip: use the gold tab at the bottom of the circuit drawing to pull the real-world view up over the Arduino board. Your parts stay visible above it, so you can press a button and watch the real scene react.
- Motor = the fan motor
- Sensor or control = sets the speed